The Perris and Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce kicked off the 2018-2019.
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The most important goal for many of my clients is to retire on their terms – which often means planning a long, secure retirement that enables them to check off items on their ultimate bucket list. Retirement requires careful planning in addition to avoiding financial missteps along the way. Here...
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Robbie Motter a longtime resident and volunteer was honored by the Menifee City Council, November 7th, 2018, as an outstanding citizen.
For over 19 years Robbie has served as the NAFE Western & Mid Atlantic Regional Coordinator and last year became the Nafe Global Coordinator where she gets...
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I don’t consider myself a hopeless romantic. However, when in Oaxaca I heard a love story about the Marigold flower, also known as the Cempasuchil that captured my heart. During the week, hanging with the locals I realized they all knew the legend. They shared it with me proudly while we drank...
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A Probate Guardianship is a court proceeding in which a legal guardian is appointed by the probate court to protect the person or estate of a minor. A Probate Guardianship suspends (but does not end, as in adoption) parental legal rights. Probate Guardianship is granted by the court if the court...
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Sunday, 11 March 2018 19:39

Keeping Our Kids Safe in Menifee

In response to the recent tragedy in Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida that left 17 children and teachers dead creates worry on the safety of our kids in both public and private schools across the country. While no community can guarantee no such incidents, we must do everything legally feasible to ensure the safety of our students and staff.

As I was doing some research I came across an article written by Jeff Daniels, Professor of Counseling, West Virginia University. The article everyone should read and give it some thought was published on February 27, 2018 in The Conversation Section under the title: “If you want to know how to stop school shootings, ask the Secret Service”.

As a result of their research, this is what they came up with:

Incidents of targeted violence at school rarely were sudden, impulsive act.

Prior to most incidents, other people knew about the attacker’s idea and/or plan to attack.

Most attackers engaged in some behavior prior to the incident that caused others concern or indicated a need for help.

There is no accurate or useful profile of students who engaged in targeted school violence.

Most attackers had difficulty coping with significant losses or personal failures. Moreover, many had attempted suicide.

Many attackers felt bullied, persecuted or injured by others prior to the attack.

What are the preparations for safety to prevent against active school shooting in Menifee? Should an “active shooter” incident occur? On February 28, 2018, Menifee Union School District, Superintendent Dr. Steve Kennedy addressed the public on the warranted emergency situations among our schools.

“Whether an emergency situation stems from a natural or man-made disaster, our teachers, administrators and staff fully understand that the protection of our children is our most important role, and we recognize that learning is much more difficult in an environment where children to not feel safe. MUSD has developed several strategies and routine safety drills to check school preparations for a variety of emergencies that will provide comfort to our children during their school and home time.”

Working with Authority and Safety Resources

This strategy requires that all MUSD schools develop a close relationship with Riverside County Sheriff Department and the Menifee Fire Department to ensure safe campuses. They are highly trained to respond to any crisis. They can identify both prevention and response strategies to a variety of emergency situations. A high priority is effective communication during an emergency that includes texts, phone calls and District Website posts. All our schools have developed a comprehensive school safety plan that identifies a single-point of entry, as well as any potentially vulnerable points within a school’s physical layout. Both fire and law enforcement in our area are very familiar with the architecture of our schools and are well qualified to address any concern that may arise.

Routine Safety Plans

In accordance with our schools safety plans, we routinely conduct safety drills for a variety of situations such as earthquakes, fires, stranger danger and active shooter scenarios. During the drills, equipment checks such as alarm system are done. The drills also include checking and assigning action plan to staff members. This includes an audible alarm system and an action plan with distinct assignments for our staff. The best prevention strategies truly do involve the awareness and alertness of students, staff members and parents alike.

MUSD school personnel are trained to recognize children who may be struggling emotionally and can provide them with the support they need. Please feel free to contact your child’s teacher or counselor if you have concerns about your child. Our school counselors are trained to provide emotional support and to help with any concerns students or parents may have in light of this incident.

Students are encouraged to talk to an adult on campus if they are concerned about school safety. Students and parents can help by being our eyes and ears on campus and reporting any suspicious behaviors or issues of potential concern to the school offices.

With the continuing coverage of television and newspapers across the country, images from this most recent tragedy can be very disturbing to a child, it is best to limit your children’s exposure to the news, especially younger children.

These are issues that they cannot understand and which may cause anxiety. It is completely normal for a child to experience a wide range of emotions including shock, confusion, anger, hostility and denial and sometimes even an inability to acknowledge the situation. Most children are able to deal with their emotions with adequate support from family, friends and school personnel.

The Paloma Valley High school conducted a drill on February 13, 2018 for safety against earthquake. The drill was performed just a day before the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. Safety drills are to ensure safety for students at the school, but there is a dilemma when the shooters know the emergency action and preparedness for the school, especially when the perpetrator is a disgruntled former or current student.

We need to do more to ensure safety for our kids in school. A system of identifying troubled youths and offering on time counselling will assist in preventing human-created disaster situations, such as the recent shooting incident in Florida.

Dr. Kennedy does not support teachers being armed. He would support a retired policeman or retired military at the in/out entrance. California schools are “gun free zones” and it would take legislative action to change that status.

Students, parents and teachers are encouraged to call the Riverside County Sheriff dispatch at (951) 210-1000. Anonymous calls can also be made to (800) 782-7463.

Riverside County Sheriff’s 24-hour dispatch life at (951) 696-3615 or anonymous calls may also be made to We Tip 800, 1-800-78-CRIME or 1-800-782-7463.

For additional information, you may access the Menifee Union School District Website. Your comments are welcome.